SOUTHSIDE 2012: A Review

 Well this is being posted up later than planned. I'm actually writing this the day after our journey home but due to internet issues while I was away… going to be up late, not that it matters of course. I have of course just spent the weekend at the Southside Festival in Germany. I spent the weekend with my beautiful girlfriend and her awesome friend Seppster. It was overall, amazing! I have been to many festivals before but never actually camped for a whole one. A weekend full of great music, uncomfortable beds, fear of using toilets and all round good times with everything in between. I figured that I need to blog more and a what a perfect time to do a run down of the bands/ artists I had the pleasure of watching.

FRIDAY

BUSY P

Last time I saw Busy P was at the Warehouse Project in Manchester a couple of years back. Unfortunately I wasn't too impressed with his song selection. I had however, seen him a year earlier at the same place and he was amazing. In a nutshell, he was more amazing than the first time. Having to deal with one of his decks breaking all the time, like a true champ he carried on and pumped out some great tunes. I had dragged my girlfriend to see him, wasn't really her thing but she enjoyed it. Busy P! What the fuuuuuck!?

DIE ARTZE

Die Artze are my girlfriend's favourite band and she has seen them countless times. I was first introduced to these guys through her early on in our relationship and even though they of course sing in German, they are still enjoyable and my God, do they know how to put on  show for their fans. Three talented musicians full of charisma and full of genuine wit… plus Farin the bassist drinks tea on stage. What's not to love? Oh and a little bit of trivia, Die Arzte where the first of 2 acts at Southside who used a 9/11 reference. Seems legit.

JUSTICE

Oh Gaspard, I still have a worryingly big amount of love for you but sort the hair out. I miss your shorter curly… oh wait… Justice are one of my favourite acts of all time. This is the third time I have seen them live. The first time was their first run of live shows, the second a DJ set at Warehouse Project and this third time with their newer show. All I can say is that seeing Justice live is an experience that everyone must try. Great sound and an amazing light show. This show is a lot better than their first run but I have to say [SPOILER ALERT] I do miss Masters Of Puppets being their finale. Gaspard and Xavier, thank you, it was amazing!

SATURDAY

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB

This was Seppster's choice and I have to say I thought it was damn good. My dad has told me about these guys for a few years but I never got round to checking them out properly aside from their more popular songs. This was a great way to be introduced properly, I shall be inducting these guys to my prestigious itunes music library sometime soon.

K.I.Z

Another German act suggested by my girlfriend. I was only intending on seeing a couple of songs to pass the time before another act started but after listening to the "gangster" lyrics lovingly translated by my girlfriend and the genuinely awesome music. I enjoyed it. Not to be taken seriously at all and from I gather the guys are just having fun and being very ironic with their songs about fucking your mother and other family friendly activities. Give these guys a listen, they're fun!

THE MARS VOLTA

Only caught the last 20 minutes of their set because of K.I.Z. I have to say, not really heard too many songs from these guys aside from the ones that used to play on MTV2 and the indie music channels that used to be on Sky. From what I had heard, I pictured that this would be epic and fr the most part it was. Some great music but like I said, only saw the last couple of songs. I shall be having a further listen soon though.

THE SHINS

Shiny happy music for people who love to wear flannel shirts and buy fair trade food… oh and think of Starbucks as a statement of their place in society. That being said, I love Starbucks (Caramel Machiatio is my official coffee) and I love The Shins. Not because it's cool to do so but because they create great music and their live show was very good. You probably love The Shins so I don't need to say more. Great stuff.

THE CURE

Another highlight for me and an even bigger highlight for my girlfriend. We both love The Cure and Robert Smith and to share a moment like this with the one you love stays with you man. A great set mixing the classics with the new. Not too familiar with recent stuff but hearing Robert Smith's fantastic voice singing our favourites was amazing. He still has a great voice and props to him for keeping the same look and not going all clean on us. Smith seems like a genuinely beautiful person and his almost childlike innocence is refreshing. If you haven't please go see The Cure if you can. Love Catsssssssss!

NEW ORDER

One of those "You have to at least once in your life…." moments. Being a MASSIVE fan of electronic music and a lover of the city of Manchester… this was amazing for me. I remember my dad playing stuff like Smiths, Joy Division, New Order… (you know the artists awesome dads like) all the time as a child. Joy Divions helped me learn guitar instead of going down the "Smoke On The Water" route. Seeing songs like "Blue Monday", "Temptation" as well as classic Joy Division songs such as "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is something for the heart to behold. It's a real shame Hooky isn't a part of it anymore but it doesn't matter because a loofa these producers nowadays and their pre teen followers don't come anywhere near as special as New Order, arguably one of the most important bands of all time, especially for electronic music. Another reason why this was so special for me was because I again, shared it with the one I love. You can't ask for more. Oh and thank you dad if you are reading for giving me the ability to appreciate great music.

SUNDAY

EAGLES OF DEATH METAL

"Just leave him alone because the boy's bad news…." These guys where awesome. Full of charisma a great catalogue of songs. Again, a band that I knew because of a couple of songs and again, a band who will be gracing the prestigious Mondo Squallido music library sometime soon. A real fun performance and I don't know the frontman's but you sir are one cool motherfucker.

WOLFMOTHER

Very solid and enjoyable set. I am not the biggest Wolfmother fan but I do like them a lot. There was a crazy girl next to us who was either French or on good drugs who enjoyed this a lot more than probably anyone else did. Aside from constantly standing on mine and my girlfriend's toes… I salute your…. mental side. I think you need good beer or evidently, good drugs to really appreciate Wolfmother. Not bad but can't say I remember much…

RISE AGAINST

One of those bands who you have no fucking idea who they are but you've heard their songs all time. From moody teenagers who think they have lived to flicking through channels like Kerrang and Scuzz on Sky. One of my girlfriend's favourites so of course I will give it a try and a try is all I gave it. Only saw the first two or three songs because I was again waiting for another act. I have to say, not bad. Don't think I'll be racing to the nearest record store but if Jeanny's got a CD or two I'll have a go.

SEBASTIAN

OK. Fisrt things first. THIS WAS THE GREATEST FUCKING THING I SAW AND LISTENED TO!!!! I fucking love SebastiAn. One of my favourite producers ever and one of my face Ed Rec Cru members. Just his whole middle finger to modern and popular electronic music is amazing. He uses sounds that I have never heard used before in a way that they shouldn't actually work but they do. SebastiAn and Oizo seriously need to collab more or at least release stuff together because that would literally blow up the world. Sorry Rise Against but I definitely made the right choice here. The only act I saw on my own and I'm kind of glad because I danced like a man possessed. To put my thoughts on this live experience in a paragraph is just impossible but believe me when I say that you NEED to experience SebastiAn and you need to do it now. I knew the live show was going to be amazing because his music live is amazing and after seeing him DJ at Warehouse Project at 4 in the morning when everyone is fucked and literally having 10 seconds of droning, distorted noise building up, killing your ears at the start of his DJ set while he continues to give the middle finger to the audience and even lying down smoking a cir… yeah I have gone off track but Jesus, GO SEE SEBASTIAN NOW! Oh and another bit of trivia… contained the second 9/11 joke/ reference. CTFO!

BLINK 182

Remember right at the start of this run down I said I dragged Jeanny to Busy P? Well, this was my "punishment" if you will. I will happily go on record to say that I never have and never will be a fan or a lover of the music of Blink 182. That being said, this was actually a great performance. The fans loved it, Blink knew it, they milked it… everyone loved it. A lot more enjoyable than expected. Plus, this also had a special feel to it because not only did it take me back to my youth, more importantly the skateboarding (I would have been better than Rodney Mullen if I would have carried on) but the fact that Jeanny was lost in the music of band who she adores… it was a gorgeous situation to be in. Call me old fashioned but moments like this make life amazing. Oh by the way, I gave up watching Stone Roses to see Blink…. don't worry, never really cared for the Stone Roses anyway.

So there you have it, a rather impressive list of acts if I do say so myself. Aside from the great music, it was just a great experience all round. Spending time like this with awesome people and just living in filth was awesome. I was always skeptical of the festival experience but I have to say I rather enjoyed it. If the information is still on the site I will be putting the link down below so you can see who else played. I had an awesome time and have moments that will stay with me. Jeanny if you are reading this, our first festival together was amazing and I can't wait for more!

Because I am feeling the love right now, I thought I would share a few pointers and give my words of wisdom to you guys:

1. Girls, don't dress like you're going to be included in a street fashion article, you just look stupid. Boys, now is the perfect time to wear women's clothing and customise your own, it's comfortable and you are allowed!

2. Tinned ravioli is love in a tin.

3. It may be hard at first but overcoming the fear of festival toilets is a must.

4. note to self… I need to make a music system from a car CD Player and some speakers… that shit looked and sounded awesome.

So yeah, that's me out. Here's a photo of me kinda looking like a girl… sorry ladies… and boys but I'm taken ;)

 Love,
PDx

South Side 2012

                                

Innerspace Volume 7: Kissed By The Cosmic Sun

Hello one and all, greetings from a sun soaked Germany. From the sounds of it, you could be having nice weather too which is great. It's been a really busy month here at Mondo Squallido. Lapping up all the weather, spending time with the lady and working on some new projects here. Hope you are all having a gorgeous time with friends and family. That explains why this month's Innerpsace is being uploaded right at the end of the month, had this comp waiting to go up for a while but hey, I'm lazy, what can I say?

This months compilation is of course the first of a few summery compilations. Yes, it technically isn't summer yet but gosh damn has it been gorgeous recently! That's why I'm not going too summery with this one. This is just to ease you into the summer mood. Having a BBQ? Drinking some Pimm's on the lawn? Sitting around the fire on a cool summer night? This is PERFECT for you all. That's why I haven't really included any party music or some good old French Touch which is fantastic for the summer months. Yeah, I'm not really selling this so I will shush and show you what you are getting in this month's sun kissed compilation.

1. Blondes- Water

2. Alan Parsons Project- Mammagamma

3. Actress- Caves Of Paradise

4. COS/MES- Mescat

5. Pink Skull- Get Inside (My Tiny Pyramids)

6. Antonio Carlos e Jocafi- Edicao Extra

7. Boards Of Canada- Peacock Tail

8. Vangelis- He-Ho (Leo Zero Re-work)

9. Ojeda Penn- Happy People

10. Lonnie Liston Smith- Sunset

As you can see… this isn't your typical "summer" playlist and there's a whole lot of variety in terms of genre but give it a chance bro! Hopefully, this feels as good for you as it did for me compiling it. Hopefully this selection of tracks will be the perfect soundtrack to the start of your summer. The next couple of months will of course be a little less left-field and a bit more obvious. So that's it guys, apologies if this post seems lackluster and apologies for the lateness. Just as long as you enjoy the tracks, that's all I want. I love doing this, I love sharing music.

Have a good summer guys!

Innerspace Volume 7

PDx

Innerspace Volume 6: Stranger In A Strange Land

Greetings from Germany my friends! As some of you guys who know in the real life, Youtube or the Book of Face, you will know that I am currently in Germany and will be here for the next 6 months. I am spending time with the love of my life which is amazing and to top it off, I'm in a gorgeous city in a fantastic country and hey, the weathers nice for the most part, the alcohol is cheap plus they play Bob Ross on TV late at night.... you dig? In all seriousness though, I'm the happiest I have ever been with the single most important person I have ever met in my life and we have the greatest kitty in the world. Life is wunderbar! Now you might be thinking "well that's all well and good Pete, happy for you but what musical delights are you treating us to this month?". Well this month is something a bit personal that maybe I will only truly "get" but I hope at the very least you like the songs I am providing you. Like last month, I am going lon wolf on this one. Daniel is going from strength to strength with his own endeavours and it makes me even prouder and happier day by day knowing he's my soul brother. So I figured, he has some bigger fish to fry right now... not that he would mind of course you understand! So yes, let me stop waffling on give you the goods...

This months compilation (half a year already!?) is like I said, something a tad personal to me but I am sure a lot of you guys have experienced the same or something similar. I have been in Germany for 2 weeks now and I have to say I am settled in and feeling very comfortable in a new country, new surroundings and learning (very slowly and painfully) a new language. Today however, I experienced something which has only happened to me a few times before. I ventured to the shopping centre to pick up some things for the weekend and decided to walk there. It's only a 10 - 15 minute walk but hey, I got a little lost so it took a bit longer but as I was doing this, every so often a song would play on my ipod where I would get goosebumps. Have you guys ever experienced being in a new city, listening to your music and THAT song comes on which almost transports you to another dimension or gives the city an atmosphere? It's hard to explain but I hope some of you guys can relate. Bottom line is, it just proves to you how different a situation can be witha  different song and just how powerful music can be. So yes, there are 12 songs today folks that I really think capture what I felt today. You could say this is a companion piece to the Journey compilation or even a sort of sequel.

1. Joni Haastrup- Greetings

2. Stephen Falken- Shadow Of The Wind

3. Boards Of Canada- 1969

4. Lonnie Liston Smith- Summer Nights

5. Lindstrøm- Another Station (Todd Terje Remix)

6. Alan Parsons Project- Mammagamma

7. Maethelvin- Lost In The big City

8. The Clash- Justice Tonight/Kick It Over

9. Pamala Stanley & Paul Parker- Stranger In A Strange Land

10. DJ Mehdi- Anything Is Possible (Feat. Vinia Mojica)

11. Blondes- Paradise city

12. Psychic Ills- Meta

So there we go gang. A very, very mixed bag of stuff here. Lots of different moods, feelings, atmospheres. Music for different times of the day, from the easy grooves of walking to the shop on an orange blanketed sky to the high energy of a good club night. You don't even have to be in a strange place to appreciate or even feel what I felt. These songs have the power to change your surroundings. These songs have the power to take you to a different place. Overall, I just hope you get some joy and get turned on to some great artists. Share the music and the good times my friends. Life is too short so you got to make the most of every little feeling, every moment. Safe journeys my friends and if you are in a  new city pop this compilation and see what happens.

Love,
Pete

Innerspace Volume 6

Innerspace Volume 5: Cosmic Journey To The German Lands

Well, it's been a long time since the last compilation. Well, we missed a month but still, apologies for that. February has been something of a hectic month for Daniel and I. Myself, February was the month of my birthday and the month when the love of my life spent some time with me which was gorgeous. I was intending on doing an anti Valentines Day compilation because you don't need a card company to write a message for your loved one. I don't know why I decided not but, maybe it was uni work being a pain. Daniel however has been involved in some exciting projects that are going rather well which is amazing and thoroughly deserved, Unfortunately, Daniel, my disco brother in crime is not going to be helping me pick tracks because this is rather an impromptu compilation and is actually a personal subject.

This month's compilation has got a European feel to it. Volume 5 has a German flavour. Why Germany do you ask? Well, my girlfriend is from Germany and I thought that (even though she doesn't really like disco) I would give tribute to (yep, cheese factor turned to 11) her. Not only that but Germany has given so many great things like brilliant beer, spaltter films, scary morality tales for children and of course some fantastic music. Of course I jest, Germany is a fantastic cultural hot spot and of course is home to the bestest lady in the world!

This time I'm going to treat you to 12 fantastic pieces of musical bliss. Everything from some good old disco hits to some classic krautrock and of course some Hi NRG Europop and everything in between. Some songs and artists you may know and some you may not. Some of these tracks only came about while researching so I have discovered some great tracks and I hope that at the very least, you will too. So let's stop this rambling and get on with the goods:

1. Klaus Schulze- Timewind
2. Todd terje- Your My Heart Your My Soul
3. Lucifer's Friend- In The Time of Job When Mammon Was A Yippie
4. Casablanca- Angel Of Light
5. Peter Synthetik- Captain Berlin
6. Tangerine Dream- Le Parc
7. Tender Aggression- Train To Somewhere
8. Penny McLean- Lady Bump
9. ZaZa- Dschungel Liebe
10. Kreis- Wirst du da sein
11. Boney M- Trip Two (The Flying Squad Edit)
12. Kraftwerk- Metropolis

So as you can see, there is a lot for you tuck your teeth into. Thank you very much for stopping by and apologies about the lack of activity on the blog. As you guys can understand, it's been a very busy time. I hope everyone had a nice Valentines Day if you celebrated it and I hope you are having a nice start to the Spring.

Love you all for the continued support and especially my lady, ich lebe dich <3

Innerspace Volume 5

Pete x

Innerspace Volume 4: Fresh Start

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a good one filled with happy and maybe drunken times... oh come off it I know you all drank yourselves silly! It's allowed though! I hope you had a great 2011 and I hope this year will be even better for you all. We thought to kick start Innerspace in the new year we would share some of our favourite edits. What a better way to start the new year. New years are about new beginnings and we thought that edits would be great and fit the theme. These are edits that have breathed new life into old songs. These are edits that have turned us on to great artists and producers. These are edits that just sound and feel great.

So without further or do (or is it further a do?) let's quit the gabble and get on with the good stuff. 10 delicious cuts of prime edit goodness.

1. Rio Edits- Paradise (D)
2. Kool And The Gang-  Hi De Hi Hi De Ho [dublinbusdisco edit] (P)
3. Fantastic Man- Groove With You (D)
4. Anorak- The Locust (P)
5. Check The Guns- And You Know That (JC Edits) (D)
6. Gabor Szabo-  Keep Smiling (Super Value Special Edits) (D)
7. Lovefingers- 1984 (Summer Of Lovefingers Mix) (P)
8. Marvin Gaye- Heavy Love Affair (The Revenge Rework) (D)
9. Daz Dalton- Greatest Dancer (Daz Digs Disco Re Edit) (P)
10. Yarbrough & Peoples- Don't Chop The Music (P)

So there you guys. I think you will enjoy these. Daniel and I have done a great job if I do say so myself! I hope this aids you into your start of 2012. Let's hope that this year the compilations keep coming and I look forward to providing you some great music. Hopefully, the mean SOPA, PIPA and ACTA won't stop us from sharing one of the greatest gifts, the music.

Innerspace Volume 4

Innerspace volume 2: Journeys To Other Space

"Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be...Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before.”  Erich Fromm


Why hello there music lovers, disco deviants, rockers, punks... whatever your tastes, it means nothing. As long as you love the music you love, who am I or anyone else to judge? It's that time again. It's time for Innerspace volume 2. Before I start the post I want to thank each and everyone of you out there who took time to read the post and of course to download the compilation. I hope at the very least you found at least one song that you enjoyed. I would also like to thank Daniel once again for selecting some fantastic tracks and for the passion in the descriptions. I would also like to thank you again sir for helping me in this compilation.

Today we actually have a theme for this compilation. If you haven't guessed by the now the theme is journeys. From a journey on your way to work to a cosmic journey. From a journey with friends to a personal journey in your life. Hopefully the tracks will resonate with you, take you back to times long gone or for times ahead. The brief was simple yet complicated but I am pretty sure that each song picked fits perfectly. Like I said, no matter how trivial or meaningful. Literal or metaphorical, life is full of journeys, life itself is a journey and hopefully these 10 tracks hand picked by myself and the fantastic Mr. Harvey (who is making me real proud due to his DJing) will resonate with you or at least make you tap your feet.

1. COS/MES- From Other Space
Pete: To start off this compilation I thought I would showcase one of my favourite tracks from a personal favourite group of musicians by the name of COS.MES from Tokyo. There have been so many great artists emerging from Asia such as these guys and KZA (who you should look up if you haven't) to name a few. This song is taken from the album "Gozmez Land Chaosexotica" on the fantastic ESP Institute label. Mixing mystical with the exotic, this track is perfect for those early hours after a great party where you close your eyes, sit back and just wind down. I can't remember how I came across these guys but I'm glad that I did. I feel this songs really sets the mood for the compilation.

2. Ozo- Anambra
Pete: Now this is one hell of a track. Talk about having a cosmic, mystical journey to the unknown. The first time I heard this, I was in a car with some friends, driving through the dark. Images of coloured smoke and tribal dancing flooding my mind. This was included on Beats In Space on probably my favourite BiS show... other tracks played by Tim Sweeney that night where Fleetwood Mac's Hypnotized and Goblin's fantastic Suspiria. You have to check out that episode, I believe it was episode 552. Another memory I have with this track was when I was in the Lake District in Cumbria. Sat in the back of the car with family on a cold, wet, misty day. Driving past hills and through forests. Even though there is a clear tribal sound to this, images of local townsfolk slowly walking through the forest in ceremonial style. I hope this track has as much of an effect it had on you as it had on me. The chanting still gives me shivers.

3. Matata:- Wanna Do My Thing

Daniel: No it isn't James Brown, but it sounds very similar to it, the intro specifically with the whole crescendo of soulful screaming almost mirrors his mad man habits. In fact this group I talk of is Matata. The strange musical sensation that conjured some of east Africa's finest funk in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1969 they toured with Miles Davis in Germany, and Davis was impressed enough to invite them to America. In 1971, the BBC World Service crowned them Best Band in Africa. So what made them different to any other band around that time and area? It was due to the sheer musicianship each one of the ten band members possessed, they are all incredible players and each one of them allowed a pause for the instruments to talk for themselves. I didn't feel this record was specifically written to make sales, it's a record to illustrate a love and a fusion for sound experimentation. In terms of a journey, Wanna Do My Thing explores the cultural roots of community and values and Matata alone is a living proof of that.

4. Gong- Shamal
Daniel: If there was any track to procrastinate to, it would be this one, I like to dance around my bedroom thinking I was some kind of shaman but in all reality, I look like a dad at a wedding. This record has everything and everything to make it shine a purple awe. I was introduced to Gong by my Auntie's partner, a fellow revolutionary and ex hippie from the glory days. He allowed me to borrow a few cds from his collection, Ozric Tentacles, Peter Green, Yes and Shamal. I listened to them all when I got in, all offering different experiences but this one particularly got to me. It has such a vast range and considering the year it was recorded in, I was pretty shocked by it all. There are tracks that would test different areas all over the world, pieces of music crafted around entities and ideas. It is a universe within itself. Shamal which is the leading track on the album is probably my favourite from the line up, so many different influences, so many different sounds. If there was a drink to describe it would have to be a Mai Tai, dark, sunny and bitter-sweet.

5. America- Horse With No Shame (Wade Nichols Edit)
Peter: Now here is a treat. Combining one of my favourite songs of all time with one of my favourtie producers doing one of his great re-edits. I was first introduced to this song thanks to Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. Yep, a lot of you guys out there partial to gaming can happily admit that some of your favourite songs have been discovered by the GTA series. I adore this song, it is one of the many songs I wish I wrote. I shall have to learn this on my guitar sometime! Anyway, this song? Fantastic and I personally think what Todd Terje has done is absolutely fantastic. The intro has been extended and the fading out at the end... words don't come close to how much magic this production has. Taken from the amazing (again, you should look out for this) Rvng of the Nrds series of 12"s put out by the amazing RVNG label. You can picture sat by a fire in the desert, with friends. Burning the midnight oil and singing. Simple yet effective in every sense of the word... well, words!

6. Sammy Barbot- New Mexico (Lovefinger's Barrio Edit)
Peter: Sticking with a somewhat desert theme we move on to another gem of a re-edit. This time courtesy of Lovefingers who funnily enough run ESP Institute. Where do I start with this one? Maybe after your night round the fire? Waking up to the sound of silence, heat on your face and sun beaming in the sky. Off to make a break from the sheriff. This a genuinely jolly little number which makes me smile every time I hear it. Listen ut for the fantastic little orchestra session. Oh boy this was a joy to put on this compilation. I don't know much about Sammy Barbot but thanks to modern producers playing around with the classics... I think I will have to. If not, there may be a bounty on my head and I ain't gonna stand up to Clint Eastwood!

7. Phyllis Dillion- The Love That A Woman Should Give To A Man
Daniel: This woman got me into rocksteady, she was born and raised in St Catherine, Jamaica, Phyllis was influenced by the cool blues and jazz singers in America, the ones who sang emphatically under a pale spotlight which would be choked in the smoke of cigarettes and cigars from the folk that watched. If you listen to this song, you travel with her words, the flicks within her musty vocal tone as well as her inability to make you feel vulnerable is a difficult thing to do. Phyllis Dillion recorded for the Duke Reid record label ''Treasure Isle'' and Duke Reid's passion for American blues and jazz music was also very evidential too so the matching was pretty much perfect. During her career, Phyllis circled in and out of New York to perform and would frequently fly back to Kingston to record singles with some of the other stars on Treasure Isle. After 4 energetic years, Phyllis Dillion ended her career at 23 in the year 1971 however that was revived in 1991 when she was approached by Michael Bonnet, the entertainment director for the Oceanea Hotel in Kingston. She refused the opportunity however that was later rescinded and Phyllis continued to tour countries and record until illness took hold of her. She passed away in 2004 at the of 56 after a 2 year battle with cancer and now remains a emerald in the lucrative crown of ska and reggae.

8. Cela- I'm In Love (Joey Negro Edit)
Daniel: I'm in Love produced by M.Celay and R.Drake is one of the rarest disco joints to escape the 70's Italian scene of flares and fros. It is one of my guilty pleasures, not exactly the most masculine song there is but it's a great track, the bass line, the backing vocal that melts into the lead is amazing. I've always found with Italian disco hits, there is a stronger sense of production, you can tell that it's been fomented with many different orchestral layers due to the reverb that haunts the chorus. It's a song that is punched with hooks and surprises and as you listen more deeply, you will get a understanding and a sense of appreciation of how technically driven it is.

9. Jacques Renault- In The City
Peter: So we have one power house of the re-edit, now let's move on to another fantastic producer, Jacques Renault. I was lucky enough to interview Jacques for Seven Shades Of Black which was an honour for me as I adore this guy. This is a re- edit of Cousin Ice's Catch Your Glow (which strangely enough I am only just listening to the original song as I type.. thank you Youtube!) which I first heard a couple of years back on a DFA Radio Mix from Jacques himself. I loved the song so much I ripped it from the set. Imagine my joy when I found out that Jacques released this as a re-edit. The smile on my face has never faded, no matter how many times I hear this song. This is perfect for a train ride, especially on a nice summers day. You will love this, I know I did. I consider this one of my favourite songs of all time. It feels amazing that I can share it with you guys. Jacques, you are amazing!

10. Weldon Irvine- Music Is The Key
Daniel: I remember listening to this track when I was really young, it has now found a place within my mind and every time I hear it, the feeling is rejuvenated. I always have a need to travel somewhere, it's a voyeuristic piece that expresses a key element, music. I love the lyrics and the way Weldon Irvine has supplemented the words with these futuristic synths. His style and vision was so innovative for its time and it's wonderful that I have the chance to share it with you within this compilation... gold dust.

Well there you have it people, another selection some great songs. Thanks again to Daniel for being there to make these compilations possible and introducing me to great songs, artists and labels. Hopefully, you will all feel that the tracks blend together well. If not, then I suppose I could argue that not every journey is smooth sailing. As long as you guys get a kick from one of the song, that's mine and Daniel's job done. Thanks in advance to everyone who downloads and supports this. I hope your journeys no matter how long, short, trivial, important or personal are as good as they can be... and most of all, enjoy the music.

Pete and Daniel

Innerspace Volume 2

“Success is not a place at which one arrives but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey.” Alex Noble

InnerSpace Volume 1

Evening, morning, afternoon... whatever time it is when you read this I do hope all is going well. Today on the blog is something special and hopefully something that I will be doing a lot in the future. This one is for all you music lovers out there. This is the first in a series of compilations I will be putting out. Some with the help of some friends, some just songs that I will do on my own. I thought for the first compilation I would enlist the help of my partner in crime and fellow disco deviant, Sir Daniel Lee Harvey. I have been friends with Daniel for a couple of years now and man has this guy introduced me to some fantastic pieces of music so naturally I thought I would ask him to contribute five songs for the comp. Daniel and I are both involved in the fantastic online magazine, Seven Shades of Black ran by the legend that is Soraan (who hopefully will aid me in a compilation sometime!).

The idea behind the compilations is simple. Providing the readers with a nice collection of musical treats. The idea is to create compilations based on themes but I figured for the first one we would just share five songs each that we are listening to a lot. Really happy with how this has turned out and hopefully if anyone is reading, you will too. So without further or do, let's take you through the tracks:

1. Sven Libaek- Music For Eels
Pete: To start off the compilation I thought I would use this lovely little number. I think this is from a documentary about sharks from the 60's or 70's. It just seemed right that the compilation should start with this, really sets a happy tone for the rest of the album!

2. Oddisee- Clara Barton
Daniel: Oddisee grew up in Mary Land which is in the Mid Atlantic Region of America. He was surrounded in Hip Hop and Soul as well as the myriad and influence of musicians on both sides of his family. A friend of Oddisee introduced him to hip hop production and showed him the basics to dissecting a track and creating a whole new ambiance out of it. From then forward Oddisee focused upon beat making and within time, he joined the Low Budget Crew, a legendary family of producers, mcs and djs. Oddisee grew his reputation through networking with already established rappers and released several collaborative albums that would show a palette of different music approaches he showed an interest to. This late solo album in particular is a favourite of mine; it has such a fresh take on the sound we are all use to when comparing soul and hip hop together.

3. Sir Mack Rice- Dark Skinned Woman (Parts 1 and 2)
Pete: I came across this fantastic track when I chanced upon one of the many amazing compilations of the fantastic Stax Records and fell in love with it straight away. I must confess I don't really know of his other work but going by this song, I am in for a treat. The introduction to this song is amazing and needs to be sampled if it hasn't already!

4. Jimmy McGriff- Criss-Cross
Daniel: What can I say about this one, that it’s Jimmy McGriff. I have so much admiration for this record due to how the instruments all blend in with each other through deep jazz and funk rhythms. It’s the kind of music that circulated the Bronx and other urban circles in 1970 and today it still remains an integral part of cultural history. I think the music illustrates the true meaning of what the genre is about. I’ve been a fan of this record since my early teens and first discovered it when I was voyaging Out Of Time in Ipswich. The album cover wasn’t different from the rest that other funk groups were creating. It had the pose of a black woman looking flirtatious and innocent, but I knew it was going to be good, there was just something about it. The name didn’t ring a bell nor did the title, but I decided to take my chances. I got home and played it straight away on the turntables in my bedroom. The needle began to slip on the groves and then you would get the sound of the bass rumbling through the sub woofer and then slight dapples on the jazz organ which would integrate with a beat from the drum. Its good music and simply that, my favourite track on the record will have to be this one, everything about it is mouth-wateringly delicious.

5. Space Ranger- Plastic Love (Featuring Captn K)
Pete: Now this song blew my mind when I first heard it. I took a chance on an album called What About The Magnetic Fields? by Space Ranger after hearing some re edits on Youtube and melted when I heard this track. It's one of those tracks that has a great juxtapostion like 10CC's beautiful "I'm Not In Love". It's a song that is quite beautiful and almost sensual but has a sad contrasting message to it. It was hard to put just one track on the compilation from this fantastic album but I think I have found one that fits in perfectly with the rest of the tracks.

6. Lucio Battisti- Prendila cosi
Pete: As if one beautiful song wasn't enough. I thought I would treat you lovers out there (stay blessed) to one of the prettiest and genuinely beautiful songs that my ears have ever been treated to. This has to be one of my favourite songs of all time... especially more poignant now that I have someone in my life I can share and dedicate this song to (I love you so much baby if you are reading). I first discovered this song in a brilliant edited form from the fantastic and highly recommended Super Value0 Super Funk compilation. My heart melted then and when I heard the full version... it melted all over again. A stunning song that you can share with your loved one or just listen to so you can have a skip in your step. Just listen to the chorus and the fantastic use of trumpet and strings. Beautiful!

7. Rocco Raimundo- Give Me Your Love
Daniel: For starters, I thought he sounded like a bit of a porn star and I wasn’t very touched by the opening of the track, it had a continuous bass and drum line, very ministry of sound, but once you got deeper, it pulled you in with these contagious hooks. The echoes on the vocals as well as the slender cuts from rhythm to rhythm marry each other very nicely. There are not many djs or producers that can manage to insert a new aspect without damaging or diluting any of the original elements. It’s a track that can get anyone dancing, with or without your John Travolta white suit.

8. CFCF- COMETRUE (D eon Remix)
Pete: I first heard this fantastic remix on Beats In Space a while back. If you don't know what BiS is then you are seriously missing out. What can I say about this track? CFCF is one of my favourite produces from recent years with a string of fantastic songs and remixes under his belt. I just love the almost Asian sound that is has. It has an almost dreamlike feel to it too. It's a shame summer has left us. Imagine listening to this when the sky is a deep orange on a cool summers evening lay on a field with friends... oh boy!

9. Dudley Perkins- Flowers
Daniel: This song was recorded sometime in the summer of 1999 however it was left unreleased until 2002. It was the first record Dudley Perkins released and if you think about the time it was originally produced, the sound coming off it has a futuristic kind of nostalgia. I always have had a liking for Perkins flow, it isn’t too bouncy or concise; it just falls on through with the day-dreamy kicks of the beat. He raps on subjects that have relevance to issues happening within today society and on that note alone, I can quite happily say, he’s adds to the contribution of philosophical lyricism and yes I'm speaking on Gil Scott Heron and Sly Stone level.

10. Suff Daddy- VICES
Daniel: Suff Daddy, you will need a neck brace at reaching distance when listening to his beats. I’ve picked this one out because it has a fractured backbone of vocal samples, electronic bass lines and scratches. It’s something you would expect to hear in some ghetto on another universe. Suff Daddy is someone who likes to mould together other fractions of genres. He manages to create a seamless beat from putting two completely creations together. On this track in specific, if you listen to the intro, there is a run of woodwind and then it follows in with the thunderous crash of vocals and bass. Suff Daddy is a scientist when it comes to music construction and if you listen to more of his work, than you will begin to see the formula.

So there you have it guys. The link to the album is down below as well the link to the Seven Shades Of Black Facebook page where you can check out more fantastic articles, pictures, music from the rest of the SSOB crew. I would like to thank Daniel for not contributing some fantastic music for the comp but for the fantastic words on each song. I would also like to thank him for helping me build a fantastic library of music... thanks so much man, you are amazing! As are you guys, hope you like compilation.

PDx

InnerSpace Volume 1
Seven Shades Of Black Facebook

Justice- Audio Video Disco Review

Well the time has finally come. What has it been like 3 years? 4 years? Yeah, something like that. The world's favourite French duo (sorry Daft Punk... seems like the buzz from your amazing Tron Legacy soundtrack has faded... come back soon though please!) are back with their second album. Of course, this is not a big shock (well, if you've just woken up from a loooong coma then i suppose it will) as the hype train has been going along at full speed like the bullet train for a while now. Right off the bat, I will freely admit that I was fucking scared of this moment. How the hell can you follow up a fantastic album like Cross? When I first heard "Civilization" I thought, "This is it!? All this time and you give us what sounds like an unused track from your debut!?". Like I said, I was scared. Scared that I would hate the forthcoming album from my beloved Justice. In fact, stupidly, I was quite a negative so and so about it. Well, today I picked up a copy and today I will review this album.

I won't be giving a track by track look at this album because that takes the fun away from listening to the album for yourself. First thing I would like to say is big respect to the Justice boys. Going for a completely new direction musically. There is a clear influence of prog rock with this album (which shouldn't be a surprise to fans because if you have heard the rejected Fabric mix and... yeah this hardcore... the photos on Gaspard's Myspace page from way back, you will know the sort of music the guys like). Being a fan of prog rock myself and music from the 70's to early 80's this is a pleasant surprise to me. One thing I will say before I carry on is after some research, apparently the boys had to learn new instruments and techniques to get the wide array of sounds you hear on the album. As a musician myself, that aspect appeals to me also.

First things first. What a beautiful looking cover. I think the copy I picked up was the "deluxe" silver edition. I could be wrong though. If it is, awesome, if not... no biggy it's still a nice presentation, especially the the use of silver "mmmm shiny things!!!!!". Inside is quite nice too, really simply presented and a nice foreword by Pedro (Busy P W.T.F!?). There is also a nice looking mini posted as you can see in the photo below. The disc art itself is nothing to write home (or on your blog) about as it's just a disc but hey, it's silver i guess! If you where one of the lucky 30 to pick this album up from Colette in Paris you would have got a nice Justice coin with your copy... lucky bastar... So now it is time to tell you about the actual music on the album right? Ok then...

Like I said, I'm not gonna go into each track and pick them apart. You will know what the deal is anyway if you have heard Civilization and Audio Video Disco plus the minimix released some time a go. You know that the guys have picked up the guitar and other new instruments for this one. This album isn't gonna give you the next D.A.N.C.E or the next Waters Of Nazareth. You aren't going to get many floor fillers with this one. What you are gonna get is two guys who want to try something new and go in a different direction. Some of the major similarities I noticed listening to this was the stuff like Goblin. Throughout, there are some moments that sound like the music has been lifted from an Italian giallo or horror movie from the 70's. In fact Helix has a part of it where it sounds like the creepy aspects of Goblin's Slow Circus. Of course the more seasoned prog rock fans will pick up on more. To tray and describe everythign about this album would be hard. One certainty is that like Cross, there are no skippable tracks. OK the guitar work and the drums might not be technically brilliant but the simplicity just works well. There are moments that scream Justice like the main parts of songs like Helix and Civilization and also some subtle reminders of the old Justice we love that are dotted around in every song. Don't get me wrong, this is a new side of Justice but the stuff we love is still there. I feel this review is doing the album a great injustice (don't!) but all i can say is this sounds like what a good prog rock album should sound like: breaking traditions and keeping the listener interested.

Overall, this is a very solid body of music. Old fans and new fans a like should be able to appreciate this. You are not going to be blown away by the technique of the instruments but it's awesome to see the guys again doing something completely different to what we are used to. The production and things like sampling and programming are top notch but that's to be expected. My expectations where well and truly blown. I feel guilty that I almost lost faith in my boys from Paris as they have provided me with hours of bliss and one of the best live sets I have ever experienced. It would be interesting to see if they tried to take this album and incorporate parts into a live show but that would be very challenging and just not possible in places without bringing other people on stage. There is also the excitement for what's next and what sort of remixes we could see both from Justice themselves and from other talented producers. Will Justice remix songs in this new style? Can people turn this rocky body of music into a piece of electric bliss? What will their sets and possible live shows be like? This album has got my juices flowing. The Justice fanboy from a few years a go is back. All these months dreading this album... how bad is that!? Guys, you have to at least give this album a listen. I still adore the first album and consider it in my top 10 but man, this was a nice surprise. Well done to Justice not only bringing out a great album but for the work they put into it. I would happily give this album a 9/10. Go into this one with an open mind, I can understand why some of you will dread it, I used to be like that.

We <3 U EDREC!

PDx